Where in the U.S. would you like to build the next Disney Theme Park?

[figmentofmyimagination]

Watching earlier episode of Connecting With Walt. Apparently before building Disney world , Walt came very close to building a indoor park in Louisiana.

As a Jersey native my choice would be to get rid of the casinos and Build a Indoor/Outdoor Park in Atlantic city.

I think A Disney Park within the New York/Philly corridor would generate enough business

 

[k5jm]

I do not think Disney will build domestically away from their existing properties. Any new parks would pull away $$$ from the East and West Coast parks. Disney is more worried about offering "complete life-cycle" products to customers like DCL, ABD, and DVC.

I personally do not want a park closer to me. I enjoy being enveloped in my "home away from home" and would not want to take a chance on that becoming old or commonplace.

 

[Tom P.]

I think having two parks, one east coast and one west coast, is the right number. I think if you added a third park to the United States, you would only serve to drive traffic away from the existing parks.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

My first reaction was NEW JERSEY!! After reading Mike's response though, I guess he has a point: any other domestic park will take money away from both coasts. That "vacation bubble" is also appealing.

 

[jcdean]

Detroit. Partner with the city to create an area similar to Walt's original vision for Epcot, along with a Castle Park and a true four season resort with camping, boating, swimming (sans brain eating amoeba), skiing, snowboarding etc.... Imagine MNSSHP with crisp air and leaves turning red, orange and gold. MVMCP with real snow. Main Street becoming a frozen wasteland three months out of the year (ok. No location is perfect).

Just a pipe dream, I guess. But the land could be had inexpensively. The airport is nice and currently running under capacity. The state seems willing to hand out tax incentives. And I don't think it would pull too much traffic from the he existing parks. Midwesterners who go to Florida in the winter would still go to Florida. But they might add a summer trip to Detroit. And millions of families who don't currently visit Disney parks at all might try it if they had one they could drive to in a few hours.

Besides, graffiti on DVC Villas is a special kind of pixie dust you just can't get anywhere else.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

New York City are you kidding me!

 

[rteetz]

I'm not even sure Disney will ever build another park at their existing facilities. If they do I think it would be a third gate at Disneyland before a 5th gate at WDW.

 

[catycatcat4]

I personally do not want a park closer to me. I enjoy being enveloped in my "home away from home" and would not want to take a chance on that becoming old or commonplace.

Eh, It never becomes old or commonplace for most local fans. I live about an hourish away in the Tampa area.

 

[disneysteve]

Any new parks would pull away $$$ from the East and West Coast parks.

This is why it will never happen. I agree with OP (imagine that) that the NY/Philly corridor could support a park. The problem is that a disproportionate percentage of WDW visitors come from the NY/Philly corridor so they would be cannibalizing their own business.

That said, Disney was pretty far along in the planning to build Disney's America in Haymarket, VA but the project got cancelled due to local opposition. We were so bummed when that happened and every trip as we drive past the Manassas, VA exit on 95, I think about how cool it would have been to have a park there.

What I think could happen is for Disney to build something new and unique that isn't a whole resort complex. Maybe something that combines a few attractions with some entertainment and education offerings, like a combination theme park/museum of sorts.

There was a plan to expand the DisneyQuest concept and they did open one in Chicago but it never got past that point and the Chicago one ultimately closed.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I agree, Steve - I was VERY excited about the prospect of Disney's America in VA, especially after visiting the beautiful Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I also used to live in northeastern VA, so I know what a beautiful area it is. Was bummed when it got scrapped. I also, at one time, was very excited about the Disney Quest "being all over" idea, and wanted one to come to NYC - would have been a reason for me to go there. LOL. I remember there was also an idea to build a DVC property there, playing to those booking tickets at their then-future theaters, and the also then-future huge Disney Stores.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm not even sure Disney will ever build another park at their existing facilities. If they do I think it would be a third gate at Disneyland before a 5th gate at WDW.

Where would another gate go at DL? Aren't they pretty much maxed out on space at this point?

 

[rteetz]

Where would another gate go at DL? Aren't they pretty much maxed out on space at this point?

They have space if they really wanted to. I believe one of the parking lots was slotted for a third gate years ago. Disney could buy land too if they really wanted. Look what they did with carousel for parking improvements.

 

[Allen Conway]

WDW still has a ton of space to expand and Orlando is an easy and reasonable flight away from most areas domestically. I don't think there needs to be another park. I'd just like to see more put into EPCOT like new countries and I'd be happy

 

[k5jm]

What I think could happen is for Disney to build something new and unique that isn't a whole resort complex. Maybe something that combines a few attractions with some entertainment and education offerings, like a combination theme park/museum of sorts.

Space Center Houston is exactly this.

...The (Manned Space Flight Education) Foundation brought in the experts from Walt Disney Imagineering, the design and master planning arm of the Walt Disney Co. Using BRC Imagination Arts as a collaborating designer, Disney generated the concepts that would become Space Center Houston.

The Foundation sought support from corporations. Many companies backed the building of the Center by providing seed money. Finally, $68.4 million in tax-exempt bonds were sold to the public.

Modest admission fees would fund the daily operation of the Center. They would also support the Center’s extensive educational program, which now provides outreach to thousands of school children and teachers.

The construction team, headed by a joint venture of CRSS Sirrine and Linbeck, began construction of the facility. With Walt Disney lmagineering’s and BRC Imagination Arts’ concepts in hand, BRC Imagination Arts began production of the shows and displays. It would be a challenging task – the Center had to entertain and excite, but tell the true story of space in a realistic way.

The goal was a center that appeals on an emotional level as well as an intellectual one. A Center that reaches guests’ minds through their hearts.

The hands-on activities, films, exhibits and live shows do just that.

Houston also has the only other WEDway Peoplemover outside of WDW.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Houston, Texas. I wrote an article for the DIS, it's still in the queue. But I laid out a whole huge argument (and a rather good one, if I do say so myself).

 

[k5jm]

Houston, Texas. I wrote an article for the DIS, it's still in the queue. But I laid out a whole huge argument (and a rather good one, if I do say so myself).

Oh lord, I hope they never build here. While I am sure it is great argument, Disney gains nothing by being in Houston and only harms it's interests in Florida and California.

They would be better served by doing an ABD Adventure in Texas. Starting in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, then San Antonio (Nice Davy Crockett tie-in) then coach to Houston with JSC and Space Center Houston, etc...

 

[OKW Lover]

They're would be better served by doing an ABD Adventure in Texas. Starting in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, then San Antonio (Nice Davy Crockett tie-in) then coach to Houston with JSC and Space Center Houston, etc...

Not a bad suggestion!

 

[Cherinva]

That said, Disney was pretty far along in the planning to build Disney's America in Haymarket, VA but the project got cancelled due to local opposition. We were so bummed when that happened and every trip as we drive past the Manassas, VA exit on 95, I think about how cool it would have been to have a park there.

I was bummed about this also....I could have driven there in a couple of hours. If I'm not mistaken, there was some talk about taking over the Busch Gardens park when it was up for sale, but that didn't go far either. We certainly have the land here in VA, but so much of it is Historical and I can understand the reasons for leaving it that way.
WDW is only a 2 hour plane ride, so I can't complain.